Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

FRUIT

Fruit (Heb. pĕrî; Gk. karpós) constituted a large and important part of the diet of the ancient Israelites. Grapes, figs, pomegranates, and olives, along with wheat and barley, were favorable attributes of the Promised Land (Deut. 8:8). Melons, dates, berries from bushes and trees, apples, peaches, apricots, and some citrus fruits were also available for consumption. Though many fruits could be gathered from the wild, domesticated fruit trees were common. Cultivated trees provide superior fruit, and the gardens in which they grew in biblical times were shady and cool.

Different fruit trees require different amounts of maintenance, including weed removal, soil aeration, and pruning. Harvesting fruit may take place as early as June (grapes) and last through October (olives). Fruit was eaten fresh and also prepared: fruit such as figs, dates, and grapes could be dried and eaten or baked into cakes; the juices of grapes and pomegranates could be made into wine; olives could provide oil for cooking and eating; and the date palm could provide honey.

The Bible attests to the importance of fruit trees. God created fruit trees on the third day (Gen. 1:11). In battle, trees that bear food may not be cut down (Deut. 20:19-20). Fruit was an acceptable offering to God (Lev. 27:30).

Fruit was also used as a symbol for offspring, e.g., “the fruit of the womb” (Deut. 28:4), and consequence, as in “the fruit of their doings” (Jer. 17:10). The fruit of the tree of knowledge (Gen. 3) traditionally has been identified as the apple; however, no textual evidence supports this claim.

Megan Bishop Moore

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

FRUIT

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)